Is poker "gambling" or "investing"?

[uptrendfinancialsignal]

I was arguing with my colleague during lunch break about this. Do you think poker is a form of investment or gambling? I see both sides but strictly speaking if you don't track your bankroll, you’re gambling. Once your emotions interfere, it turns to casinos very quickly. You need discipline and a good plan to play poker.

 

[Bawse]

I consider it an investment. Although sometimes I do like to gamble in micro stakes. Especially if I've been on a heater, and build the prizepools in our home games if/when I rebuy.

 

[Ravenfreak]

It can be viewed as both, if you know how to play your cards right so to speak it can be a great investment. But if you have no clue what you're doing, it can become a gamble.

 

[BenMachineSmith]

Technically poker is gambling, yes.

But once you are educated on how to make money within this game, then it can become an investment. You are investing in your ability to understand situations, and to critically analyse every situation you find yourself in.

 

[Nomad]

I like to think poker as an entertainment and gambling. I don't think poker is an investment, unless you create a poker site in a hope to make money.

 

[Henry]

All it takes is understanding how to stay disciplined while playing, and then it is an investment. I've always played poker that way as I can't handle losing more money if I view it as a gambling opportunity.

 

[Sociallover]

I have never believed that poker is investing. Poker does now allow you to own an asset. It does not allow you to buy anything. You are simply betting your money in a game. It is still betting, even if it involves a "strategy".

 

[Henry]

I have never believed that poker is investing. Poker does now allow you to own an asset. It does not allow you to buy anything. You are simply betting your money in a game. It is still betting, even if it involves a "strategy".

The question was whether we can call it an investment or gambling. If you play poker with a high level of experience and make returns from doing so, I can call it an investment because I am making returns from it.

 

[uptrendfinancialsignal]

Calling poker pure investment is a risky thinking. Even the best players can run into terrible variance. If it was purely investment, everyone with discipline would make money consistently. But poker still has uncertainty built inside it. That’s why bankroll management exists in the first place.